Arsenal to move for £53m French striker

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is reportedly prepared to pay up a club-record £53m fee in order to secure the signature of Lyon frontman Alexandre Lacazette.

The France international will be on the move this summer after he revealed his intention to join a fresh club overseas.

Atletico Madrid were initially considered favourites to land the French striker, but their failure to overturn their transfer ban has ended any interest.

As a result, the 25-year-old is eyeing a Premier League challenge with league rivals Manchester United and Liverpool also credited with an interest in his signature.

According to The London Evening Standard, the Gunners coach is not afraid to spend big on Lacazette as he looks to add a potent goalscorer to his ranks.

It is added that the arrival of a new marksman could influence the future of duo Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, who have been in a contract standoff over the past year.

The pair are in the final 12 months of their respective contracts, and Wenger is hoping to convince the players to stay by potentially strengthening the squad further.